Be Ready To Give Answer

And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye; and be not afraid of their terror, nor be troubled;

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.

--I Peter 3:13-15

Praise of Man

Should praise of man be more to me
Than God's most blessed favor?
And though man might reject His word,
The Truth remains forever;
Unchanging, sure, it does impart
A comfort to the poor in heart.

Shall I to please the blinded throng
Withhold Thy word so truthful?
Or thus to soothe the ears of men
Of their reproach be mindful,
To gain earth's gilded joys, or flee
The cross endured, my Lord, by Thee?
--Zion's Harp #113 vs. 2 & 4

Lions and Bears

Here David was being groomed in the back side of the desert. Believe me, dear ones, you are being groomed at this time, wherever your station is in life. Wherever the bears and lions come from and try to attack, like they did the sheep David was shepherding.

I believe David was a praying boy. Probably learned from his father, Jesse, and his mother. I pray to God that we too would be the examples to our children and grandchildren.
...

I believe David was one, as he sat on the back side of the desert. He looked up and saw the moon and the clouds and went back and read the words of Moses and pondered those words. Knew that there was a God in heaven. As a little boy, I believe his faith started growing. He was out there probably alone many times and, as David made mention here, one time a bear came after the sheep. He gave God the credit: "He helped me to kill the bear." Another time a lion came. One place it says, he even took the lion and pulled part of the lion's beard out and he killed the lion too that came to destroy his sheep.

Are you keeping track of the times that you've killed your lions and bears? You should. If you don't, you will not be ready for the battle because you are not remembering what the Lord did for you in the past.
--Sermon Excerpt: Bro. D.F.

Confidence in God

Here was David on the back side of the desert. He was being trained for the battles of life. Dear ones, even David, as a young man, yes, he was a youth. He probably didn't have any of the battle scars on him that the old soldiers had.

You notice Saul didn't step up. The Bible tells us earlier, when Saul was chosen king, he was head and shoulders taller than the rest of them. But he didn't stand up to the battle against Goliath and neither did Saul's general. And they were big men. They were men of war.

But David was a youth. His faith started growing in the desert. He watched God work in his life. I can imagine how he feared, being there by himself in the night, the wild animals. He came to faith to believe that, even by watching the sun come up in the morning and the moon and the stars by night, knowing that God had them all named. He put his faith in this God. He hadn't seen Him. But He gave God the credit. Just like he did when he said, "the battle is the Lord's."

I believe we all have to remember this in the days we are going to be going through. The battle is the Lord's.

It doesn't matter how many jet planes and how powerful our military is. God doesn't want us to put our confidence in those things. He wants our confidence to be in Him. Yet we have reason sometimes, and our human nature is to put confidence in men, or military and chariots. And the Bible says, cursed is the man that puts his confidence in a man and blessed is a man who puts his confidence in God.
--Sermon Excerpt: Bro. D.F.

If We Knew

Could we but draw back the curtains
That surround each other's lives;
See the naked heart and spirit,
Know what spur the action gives.
Often we should find it better -
Purer than we judge we should -
We would love each other better
If we only understood.

Could we judge all deeds by motives,
See the good and bad within;
Often we should love the sinner
All the while we loathe the sin.
Could we know the powers working
To overthrow integrity,
We would judge each other's errors
With more patient charity.

If we knew the cares and trials;
Know the efforts all in vain,
And the bitter disappointments;
Understood the loss and gain --
Would the grim eternal roughness
Seem, I wonder, just the same?
Would we help where we now hinder?
Would we pity where we blame?

Ah! We judge each other harshly,
Knowing not life's hidden force;
Knowing not the fount of action
Is less turbid at its source.
Seeing not amid the evils
All the golden grains of good,
Oh! we'd love each other better
If we only understood.
--Author Unknown

The Cross Sets the Spirit Free

Our saving hope is all in vain,
If here our love should cease,
For in the man of Galilee,
We find the gift of peace.
'Tis not the babe, but Christ the man
Who walked in Galilee;
'Tis not the manger, but the cross
That sets the spirit free.

Be not content this babe to know,
Nor stay at Bethlehem,
But go with Christ to Calvary's brow,
Beyond Jerusalem.
'Tis there men learn to know the Christ,
For there He bore man's sin.
Then open wide the door of heart,
And let the Saviour in.
--Hymns of Zion #36 vs. 2-3

Waiting

God oft gave beyond all expectation
More than heart had wished for to behold;
Should not this give us new inspiration
To await what His Word has foretold?

Ne'er a word of God was uttered vainly,
Although its fulfillment seemed afar;
Noble things take time, though promised plainly;
And the very best we find in God.
--Zion's Harp #244 vs. 6-7

Question

Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth? --Luke 18:8

Be Strong!

Be strong!
We are not here to play, to dream, to drift;
We have hard work to do, and loads to lift.
Shun not the struggle; face it.
'Tis God's gift.

Be strong!
Say not the days are evil - Who's to blame?
And fold the hands and acquiesce - O shame!
Stand up, speak out, and bravely,
In God's name.

Be strong!
It matters not how deep entrenched the wrong,
How hard the battle goes, the day how long,
Faint not, fight on!
Tomorrow comes the song.
--Maltbie D. Babcock

Pray for Strength

Quit you like men, be strong. --I Cor. 16:13

Do not pray for easy lives! Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be a miracle. --P. Brooks

We must remember that it is not in any easy or self-indulgent life that Christ will lead us to greatness. The easy life leads not upward, but downward. Heaven always is above us, and we must ever be looking up towards it. There are some people who always avoid things that are costly, that require self-denial, or self-restraint and sacrifice, but toil and hardship show us the only way to nobleness. Greatness comes not by having a mossy path made for you through the meadow, but by being sent to hew out a roadway by your own hands.

Sigh and Cry

And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity:

Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark... --Ezekiel 9:4-6

Do we sigh and cry for all the abominations that are done in the midst of our cities and our nation? Or do we become so calloused that we scarcely perceive them? Or do we even become interested in them?

The Lord marked those that were "sighing and crying" as His own.

Builder or Wrecker?

I watched them tear a building down;
A gang of men in a busy town.
With a mighty heave and lusty yell,
They swung a beam and a side wall fell.

I said to the foremen, "Are these men as skilled
As the men you'd hire if you had to build?"
He gave a laugh and said, "No indeed!
Just a common laborer is all I need.
And I can wreck in a day of two
What it took the builder a year to do."

And I thought to myself as I went my way,
"Just which of these roles have I tried to play?
Am I a builder who works with care
Building others up by the rule and square,
Or am I a wrecker as I walk the town
Content with the labor of tearing down?"
--Author Unknown

The Weaver

My life is but a weaving

Between my Lord and me …

I may not choose the colors;

He knows what they should be;

For He can view the pattern

Upon the upper side,

While I can see it only

On this, the underside.

Sometimes He weaveth sorrow,

Which seemeth strange to me;

But I will trust His judgment

And work on faithfully.

‘Tis He who fills the shuttle;

He knows just what is best;

So I shall weave in earnest

And leave with Him the rest.

Not till the loom is silent

And the shuttles cease to fly,

Shall God unroll the canvas,

And explain the reason why

The dark threads are as needful,

In the weaver’s skillful hand,

As the threads of gold and silver

In the pattern He has planned.
—Author Unknown

Overcoming

...There is no condemnation unto those that have risen in Christ Jesus, but there is yet a condemnation unto all that have not risen unto Christ Jesus in the spirit. To those that have not been eating of the same meat, neither drinking of the same spiritual drink.

And let us be minded of this that we may all be of such that have drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, that also followed us, and that is the Rock of Christ. Christ is the Rock, the Rock of Ages. That is the Rock that we shall fall upon. If we fall upon that Rock, it shall be well with us. Then we are humbled; then we are near unto the Lord. But, if we do not fall on th at Rock and that Rock has to, in time, fall on us and condemn us, it says we will be ground to powder; we will be put to nothing.

Therefore again we have this spiritual concern in us that we discern all matters well and that we choose well. Let us choose as the wise man that dug a deep foundation and built his house thereupon and he let the storms then assail it and the rains beat vehemently upon it, and it suffered no loss, but it stood.

So are the children of God planted into this garden here upon earth. If they are founded upon this Solid Rock, they will stand. They will stand all spiritual trials and temptations. And we have read how God will make such an end to all temptations that we are able to bear them.

Oh, ofttimes over the spiritual children of God, many a storm assaileth! Ofttimes great dangers they are facing, and yet again the storm will lay itself and still itself, and we can feel how God was within the storm, and how well protected we were and that there was no harm that befell us.

Oh, beloved, when we trust in the Lord and when our faith is grounded upon Him, then we are able, are we not, to feel comforted; and it only gives us new life and encouragement when we hear of such.

And we find here also, "But with many of them God was not well pleased for they were overthrown in the wilderness." Why were they overthrown in the wilderness?

We were reminded today of our Lord and Saviour Jesus in the wilderness, how He faced the many trials and temptations and how He overcame and how well-pleased God was with Him already when He took upon Himself to be baptized by John the Baptist. He went through with it in a humble way with the rest of the people when He was baptized. That was pleasing unto God, that He was humble, that He exalted Himself not because He was the Son of God, but rather humbled Himself that God could speak unto Him that He was well-pleased with Him as His Son.

And how God then did give Him grace there in the wilderness to overcome! He had only that to overcome with what we all have - that is the Word of God. If we only take it to hand and heart often and consider it and claim it for our drink and food, then we can be strengthened. Then we can be made able to not be overthrown in this wilderness where we are living, beloved ones.

It is a wilderness ofttimes when we consider the great evils round about us and how evil is multiplying itself. We cannot help but say, "It is an evil time."

But beloved, why is it such an evil time? It is because it is what the people make it. What God made, He made well and He made it good. But the people have made it what it is.

Let us therefore warn ourselves that we are not of such people that would take such sides and be overthrown.
--Sermon Excerpt: Elder Bro. H.K.

My Jesus, As Thou Wilt

My Jesus, as Thou wilt! Oh, may Thy will be mine!
Into Thy hand of love I would my all resign;
Through sorrow, or through joy, conduct me as Thine own,
And help me still to say, my Lord, Thy will be done!

My Jesus, as Thou wilt! Though seen through many a tear,
Let not my star of hope grow dim or disappear;
Since Thou on earth hast wept, and sorrowed oft alone,
If I must weep with Thee, my Lord, Thy will be done!

My Jesus, as Thou wilt! All shall be well for me;
Each changing future scene I gladly trust with Thee:
Straight to my home above I travel calmly on,
And sing, in life or death, my Lord, Thy will be done!

--Gospel Hymns #372

Be On Guard

But, even so, as far as the rapture is concerned, brethren, it is not said that everyone is going to be raptured. Only the true and faithful. Only those who have overcome.

That is why the Lord said, “In that night there shall be two in bed, the one taken and the other left. There shall be at that time two in the field, the one shall be taken and the other left.”

What makes the difference?

One was an overcomer and the other one wasn’t. So that’s the whole situation.

It certainly behooves us, by His grace, to remain on the side of the overcomer.

Now, the Lord said, not only to pray. Now we all have faith in prayer. But, remember, He said, “Watch and pray.”

I’ve known some poor souls that have been pushed over, and carried away in the spur of the moment, that when we spoke to them afterwards, they said, “Well, I always prayed.” But the poor soul didn’t watch.

So those two go together. Watching and praying. Praying alone, and watching alone, isn’t sufficient.

We should have our eyes open and know and discern the time in which we are living. Simply to wander around blindly in this world, and pray, isn’t sufficient. We must be on guard.

--Sermon Excerpt: Elder Bro. N.S.

Famine

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:

And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.

In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst.
--Amos 8:11-13

Let us never take for granted the hearing of the true Word of God.

Tokens of Affection

When things seem at their worst, I will
Still joy in His protection,
Who loves to bring out good from ill,
And grieves in my affliction.
His trials sent
Are all well meant;
His rod, a Father's chastisement,
Are tokens of affection.
--Zion's Harp #177 vs. 4

A Little Leaven

"A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." And here he says, keep out these little temptations, these little persuasions, that satan tries to instill in your hearts. For a little bit can soon leaven the whole lump. We could draw an illustration from a glass of pure water. If we drop in one drop of ink, the whole glass would soon be unfit for human consumption. It would be polluted.

Henceforth, it behooves us as Christians to keep ourselves, as we heard this afternoon, unspotted from the world; unspotted as the bride of Christ; as a pure, chaste virgin, that some day He shall come to gather in as His own. And what a glorious gathering that will be! This is the hope for which we wait. This is that which cometh by patience, by grace through faith.

He goes on to say, "I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be." Paul has never given up confidence in his fellow brethren, but rather he admonishes them and exhorts them to a firm walk in the faith which they have started. And so it should be with us. If we see our brethren or sisters overtaken in a fault, we are not given the authority to lose our confidence in them, but rather to admonish them in brotherly love and in sisterly love that they might once again regain grace in the sight of God.
--Sermon Excerpt: Bro. U.G.

Deny Ourselves to Follow Him

Modern psychology has assured us that self needs are primary needs. We are told we need self-esteem, a good self-image, self-confidence, self-actualization and self-love. All-important is the need to accomplish MY goals, to realize MY full potential. This focus on self is exactly what the natural man does not need. It lies at the heart of much of the discontent, irritation and frustration in the modern home. The world fortunately doesn't revolve around one human being.

Christ calls us to deny ourselves to follow Him. That doesn't make for very popular psychology, but it is basic to Christianity. There is a grain of truth in the self-talk. We do have inner yearnings for acceptance and fulfillment. But according to the Scriptures, we find those needs met, not by serving ourselves, but by serving God and others. We need the mind of Jesus, "Who, being in the form of God ... made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men." (Philippians 2:6, 7)
--John Coblentz

Thanksgiving Proclamation

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies.

To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.

I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.

And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

[Signed]
A. Lincoln

He's the One

Who can move the mountains that are hindering you today?
Who can pick them up like pebbles, clear them from your way?
Who can prove His power when a Christian kneels to pray?
It is Jesus; He’s the One.

Who can heal the heartache that is crushing you within?
Who can pour the balm of heaven where the hurt has been?
Who can chase the shadows, make the song of joys begin?
It is Jesus; He’s the One.

Who can keep you from all harm and guide you by His hand?
Who can give you power for service and the strength to stand?
Who can give you grace for all that living may demand?
It is Jesus; He’s the One.

Chorus:
Jesus holds all power in His mighty hand divine.
He’s the One who heals the sick, turns water into wine;
He makes all things possible, and He’s a Friend of mine;
Blessed Jesus, He’s the One.

Waiting on the Lord

Waiting! Yes, patiently waiting!
Till next steps made plain shall be;
To hear, with the inner hearing,
The Voice that will call for me.

Waiting! Yes, hopefully waiting!
With hope that need not grow dim;
The Master is pledged to guide me,
And my eyes are unto Him.

Waiting! Expectantly waiting!
Perhaps it may be today
The Master will quickly open
The gate to my future way.

Waiting! Yes, waiting! still waiting!
I know, though I've waited long,
That, while He withholds His purpose,
His waiting cannot be wrong.

Waiting! Yes, waiting! still waiting!
The Master will not be late:
He knoweth that I am waiting
For Him to unlatch the gate.
--J. Danson Smith

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. --Psalm 27:14

Consider the Whole Word

Beloved, we realize that what we have read together this morning is only a very small portion of the Word of God and we must consider the entire Word or we may be led astray. It has been said that we can find Scripture that will justify anything that we want to believe if we take just a sentence here or there. But, when we take the whole Word of God, that will not be so.

By taking only a small portion we can quote, "There is no God." But, if we read the preceding words, it says, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." (Ps. 14:1 and Ps. 53:1) Therefore, it is important to consider the whole Word of God.
--Sermon Excerpt: Bro. B.H.

What Is Covetousness?

In I Cor. 6, we find covetousness listed along with fornication, adultery and drunkenness, with only a comma between. men who are guilty of these practices shall not inherit the kingdom of God. In Col. 3:5, we read that covetousness is idolatry, and in I John 5:21, that children of God should keep themselves from idols.

The dictionary defines covetousness as an unrestrained desire for something that another person has. In the seven woes of the fifth chapter of Isaiah, verse 8, we read: "Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, until there be no place that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth."

The Scripture warns against emulations in Gal. 5:20. Webster defines emulations as the desire to equal or surpass or rivalry. "Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another." (Gal. 5:26) "The love of money is the root of all evil, which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (I Tim. 6:10)

In the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 6:24), Jesus said, "Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Mammon is defined as riches regarded as an object of worship and the greedy pursuit thereof.

In Philippians 4:5, we read, "Let your moderation be known unto all men." The dictionary lists moderation as the avoidance of extremes, not being excessive.

As a believer in Christ who wishes to have a part in the first resurrection and who expects to leave this earth, perhaps without a moment's notice, should our lifestyle be one of ostentatious display? "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (I John 2:15)

The rich young ruler who came to Jesus asking what he could do to inherit eternal life went away sorrowful. Though he was of sterling character, he had a covetous heart, and the Scripture does not relate that he ever "sold out," distributed to the poor and followed Jesus.
--Excerpt: Silver Lining - October 1980 issue

His Mercy Endureth Forever

O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever.
O give thanks unto the God of gods: for His mercy endureth for ever.
O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for His mercy endureth for ever.
To Him who alone doeth great wonders: for His mercy endureth for ever.
To Him that by wisdom made the heavens: for His mercy endureth for ever.
To Him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for His mercy endureth for ever.
To Him that made great lights: for His mercy endureth for ever.
The sun to rule by day: for His mercy endureth for ever.
The moon and stars to rule by night: for His mercy endureth for ever.
To Him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for His mercy endureth for ever.
And brought out Israel from among them: for His mercy endureth for ever.
With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for His mercy endureth for ever.
To Him which divided the Red Sea into parts: for His mercy endureth for ever.
And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for His mercy endureth for ever.
But overthrew Pharoah and his host in the Red Sea: for His mercy endureth for ever.
To Him which led His people through the wilderness: for His mercy endureth for ever.
To Him which smote great kings: for His mercy endureth for ever.
And slew famous kings: for His mercy endureth for ever.
Sihon, king of the Amorites: for His mercy endureth for ever;
And Og the king of Bashan: for His mercy endureth for ever;
And gave their land for an heritage: for His mercy endureth for ever,
Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for His mercy endureth for ever.
Who remembered us in our low estate: for His mercy endureth for ever.
And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for His mercy endureth for ever.
Who giveth food to all flesh: for His mercy endureth for ever.
O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for His mercy endureth for ever.
--Psalm 136

Happy, Blest and Meek

They who love the Saviour dearly,
And not for vain pleasures seek,
Glad for that which He provideth;
Will be happy, blest and meek.
And their peace
Ne'er shall cease;
Heaven will their joy increase.
--Zion's Harp #157 vs. 12

Two Palestinian Seas

A very favorite story of mine
is about two seas in Palestine.

One is a sparkling, sapphire jewel.
Its waters are clean, clear and cool.
Along its shores the children play,
and travelers seek it on their way.
And Nature gives so lavishly
her choicest gems to the Galilee.

But on to the south the Jordan flows
into a sea where nothing grows.
No splash of fish, no singing bird,
no children's laughter is ever heard.
The air hangs heavy all around
as Nature shuns this barren ground.

Both seas receive the Jordan's flow.
The water is just the same, we know.
But one of those seas, like liquid sun,
can warm the hearts of everyone.

While to the south the other sea
lays dead and dark and miserly.
It takes each drop the Jordan brings,
and to each drop it fiercely clings.
It hoards and holds the Jordan's waves
until, like shackled, captured slaves
the fresh, clear Jordan turns to salt,
and dies within the Dead Sea's vault.

But the Jordan flows on rapturously
as it enters and leaves the Galilee.
Every drop the Jordan gives
becomes a laughing wave that lives.
For the Galilee gives back each drop;
its waters flow and never stop.
And in this laughing, living sea
that takes and gives so generously,
We find the way to life, and living.
Is not in keeping, but in giving.

Yes, there are two Palestinian seas,
and mankind is fashioned after these!
--Helen Steiner Rice

Only One Life

Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life's busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes, only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then in "that day" my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgment seat;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God's holy will to cleave;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
Living for self or for His will;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me, Lord, with joy to say;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Give me, Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true whate'er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes, only one,
Now let me say, "Thy will be done!"
And when at last I'll hear the call,
I know I'll say "'twas worth it all";
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.
--Charles Thomas Studd

When Sorrow Walked With Me

I walked a mile with Pleasure,
She chattered all the way;
But left me none the wiser
For all she had to say.

I walked a mile with Sorrow,
And ne'er a word said she;
But, oh! the things I learned from her
When Sorrow walked with me.
-Robert Browning Hamilton
Selected: Streams in the Desert

It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. --Ecclesiastes 7:2

Make Us Brave

Lord, help and make us brave
To bear our cross and burden,
That we may not grow faint
Nor yet give up the battle.
Yea, from Thy crown of thorns
Let us our courage take,
That through reproach and shame
We ne'er Thy ways forsake.
--Zion's Harp #44 vs. 6

Flowery Beds of Ease?

...How easy was it for Jesus Christ to go to the cross and die?

How easy was it for the Apostle Paul to live the life of sacrifice he lived?

How easy was it for Jeremiah to go into the pit?

How easy was it for Ezekiel to give up his wife to warn the children of Israel? That's what happened. His wife was taken from him in the hopes that the children of Israel would listen to him.

How easy was it for the patriarchs of faith that we read about in the Bible to carry the torch and do God's will?

How easy was it for our forefathers who we can read about now in the church history book, to do what they did in establishing churches?

How easy was it for Samuel Froehlich to be persecuted by the government? To be separated from his wife and his family for six or seven years?

How easy was it for our forefathers to be in prison in Europe?

How easy is it for the people behind the Communist Iron Curtain today?

Is it really the commission of a believer to look at those things which are easy? And make our decisions in spiritual things based on how easy they are? Or how convenient? Or how good they feel?

Can't you see the humanistic thinking that comes through in that? The humanistic thinking - that's really what it is - when we think of our own ease in comparison with the Word of God.
--Sermon Excerpt: Elder Bro. S.R.

Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease;
While others sought to win the prize
And sailed through bloody seas?
-Tabernacle Hymns

Give Us Courage to be True

Holy faith, our Rock and Refuge,
Give us courage to be true
And to fight a valiant conflict,
Till the conquering host we view,
Till the conquering host we view.
--Zion's Harp #72 vs. 7

What If It Were Today?

Jesus is coming to earth again;
What if it were today?
Coming to claim His chosen Bride,
All the redeemed and purified,
Over this whole earth scattered wide;
What if it were today?

Satan's dominion will then be o'er,
O that it were today!
Sorrow and sighing shall be no more,
O that it were today!
Then shall the dead in Christ arise,
Caught up to meet Him in the skies,
When shall these glories meet our eyes?
What if it were today?

Faithful and true would He find us here
If He should come today?
Watching in gladness and not in fear,
If He should come today?
Signs of His coming multiply;
Morning light breaks in the eastern sky.
Watch! for the time is drawing nigh!
What if it were today?
-Tabernacle Hymns

A Short, Fervent Prayer

Oh, that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
-Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, 31

So much said in so few words!

Who Shall Separate Us...?

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Shall:
-tribulation?
-distress?
-persecution?
-famine?
-nakedness?
-peril?
-sword?

Nay! in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us!

For I am persuaded, that neither:
-death, nor
-life, nor
-angels, nor
-principalities, nor
-powers, nor
-things present, nor
-things to come, nor
-height, nor
-depth, nor
-any other creature
shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
--Romans 8:35, 37-39

What a comprehensive list! What triumph sounds in the Apostle Paul's ringing words!

Is there then anything that can separate us from the love of Christ and God?

There is one thing that is notably missing from this list: self.

Self-pity,
Lack of self-denial,
Self-exaltation and pride,
Any focus on self ... can and will separate us from the love of our Lord.

Abiding in Jesus

Lord, throughout my pilgrim journey,
Let me find Thee by my side;
And when evening shades are falling
Do Thou still with me abide.
And in holy benediction
Lay on me Thy hand of love,
Saying: Son, thy course is finished;
But through faith thou'lt live above!

Stay Thou near me when the shadows
Of chill death are drawing nigh,
Like the frosty breath of morning
Ere the dawn in rosy sky.
When the darkness falls around me,
Then illuminate my soul;
As a traveler home returning
May I reach my heav'nly goal.
--Zion's Harp #205 vs. 5-6

My Lord and My God!

This is not the land of the living, but the land of the dying. But we seek one to come where -- when we put on incorruption -- we shall live forever.

And if we then are able to close our eyes in death, knowing that Christ is our Mediator, our High Priest, our Shepherd, knowing that it was for you and me that He died; and being not ashamed, but, as Israel (Jacob), to tell our children and our loved ones the wonderful story that made possible this salvation.

And that we then can die knowing that at the right hand of God, we have such a One who will make intercession for us, even as we go through the valley of the shadow of death. That He will say to the Father (even as He prayed in the garden), "These are those whom Thou hast given me; they are one, even as we are one."

That we might then in heaven -- on the other side of Jordan -- be able to say as Mary (Magdalene) said, "Master! My Lord and my God!"
--Sermon Excerpt: Elder Bro. B.M.

Contribute Our Part

We sometimes wonder just how long our church can remain a separate church with the forces that are often put to bear and the pressure that is put to bear that we should modify here and there. But the Scripture gives us no right, no leeway. The Scripture, as already mentioned, was yesterday, is the same today and shall remain in all eternity.

And, beloved, in the conclusion of the Revelation, we find very vividly it was made known to John, that he that will take away from the Holy Scripture, he shall lose the reward that was promised there; and he that shall add to the Holy Scripture, until him shall be added the plagues that are described in the Revelation. And it should create a fear in the heart of every one of us and a concern that we preserve our church.

And thus if we individually serve our God, do our part individually, then the church will be preserved. But if we expect others to do it and, possibly, those that assume leadership, this cannot be done. We must every one of us contribute our little part and, beloved, a lot of little lights finally will shine in the darkness of the night. And this is what God expects of us.
--Sermon Excerpt: Elder Bro. J.B.

Pray Without Ceasing

If Jesus, the strong Son of God, felt it necessary to rise before the breaking of the day to pour out His heart to God in prayer, how much more ought we to pray unto Him who is the Giver of every good and perfect gift, and who has promised all things necessary for our good.

What Jesus gathered into His life from His prayers we can never know; but this we do know, that the prayerless life is a powerless life. A prayerless life may be a noisy life, and fuss around a great deal; but such a life is far removed from Him who, by day and night, prayed to God.
--Excerpt from Streams in the Desert

"Pray without ceasing." -I Thessalonians 5:17

In The Center of God's Will

In the center of the circle
Of the Will of God I stand
There can come no second causes,
All must come from His dear hand.
All is well! for 'tis my Father
Who my life hath planned.

Shall I pass through waves of sorrow?
Then I know it will be best;
Though I cannot tell the reason,
I can trust, and so am blest.
God is Love, and God is faithful,
So in perfect Peace I rest.

With the shade and with the sunshine,
With the joy and with the pain,
Lord, I trust Thee! both are needed,
Each Thy wayward child to train,
Earthly loss, did we but know it,
Often means our heavenly gain.
--I.G.W.

Do Not Fear the Cross

"Though the cross of Christ has been beautified by the poet and the artist, the avid seeker after God is likely to find it the same savage implement of destruction it was in the days of old. The way of the cross is still the pain-wracked path to spiritual power and fruitfulness.

"So do not seek to hide from it. Do not accept an easy way. Do not allow yourself to be patted to sleep in a comfortable church, void of power. Do not paint the cross nor deck it with flowers. Take it for what it is, as it is, and you will find it the rugged way to death and life. Let it slay you utterly."
--A.W. Tozer

O, do not fear the cross' affliction!
The Saviour suffered on it, too,
To cause eternal joy and pleasure
To ripen evermore for you.

Then bear thy woes with Jesus gladly,
And fear the cross of life no more,
For when thy journey here is ended,
The cross will open heaven's door!
--Zion's Harp #171 vs. 4, 11

Be Not Thou Discouraged

Be not thou discouraged,
Though the tempters flourish;
Him who calls, obey!
Follow, though they threaten,
For the Saviour's servants
Call: Do not delay.
Don't relent;
Fear not contempt,
Nor the spiteful horde's oppression;
Hold fast thy confession!

See'st thou others wander
Who the Saviour slander,
Dead in unbelief,
Who are ever seeking
With their evil speaking,
Christ's fold to deceive;
Do not fear;
The Lord is near,
Breaks the way to life immortal;
Strive to find the portal!

We must shun the teaching
Of those who are preaching
Sinful greed and lust,
To the Beast allegiance,
To God disobedience,
Whose reward is just.
Wrath and scorn
Must here be borne;
He who here avoids affliction
Forfeits God's affection.
--Zion's Harp #98 vs. 1-2, 4

Be Careful for Nothing

"...it is very easy for anyone to allow his mind to become cluttered with anxiety about everyday obligations and material possessions. In the parable of the sower, the individual who receives the seed (God's Word) among thorns experiences the following consequences: '...the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.' (Matthew 13:22).

Do we recognize that undue worry and concern about temporal things are dangerous forms of worldliness? The Word says, 'Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.' (Phil. 4:6)"
--Excerpt: Silver Lining - Light From the Word June 1988

Christ Is All We Need

Come, let us journey gladly!
Day follows after day;
The way grows shorter daily;
The flesh soon proves but clay.
With courage and more love
To be a little truer,
Of earthly matters freer,
And turned to things above!

Then journey on reliant;
The goal is well worthwhile.
Of all things be defiant
That hinder or beguile!
Earth, thou art small indeed;
With Christ Himself to guide us,
Eternity shall hide us;
For Christ is all we need!
--Zion's Harp #185 vs. 15-16

"Christ in you, the hope of glory." -Colossians 1:27